The 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!

My sincere apologies that the finalists are not going to be listed for your votes until at least Wednesday! Editorial deadlines… enough said. I’m so sorry for the delay and will do my very best to get the finalists posted as soon as possible! Thank you for your patience and understanding ❤

Ear of bat and toe of worm! It’s finally time for. . .

The7thAnnualHALLOWEENSIECONTEST!!!!!

~ for children’s writers ~

aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!

The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words candy corn, monster, and shadow. (Candy corn will be counted as 1 word.) Your story can be scary, funny, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂 (And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got nearly 150 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!) Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. monsters, monstrous, shadowy, shadowed, whathaveyou 🙂 NO ILLUSTRATION NOTES PLEASE! (And yes, you may submit more than one entry if you’re so inclined 🙂 )

Post: your story on your blog between right now this very second and Tuesday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below. There will be no Perfect Picture Book or Would You Read It posts for the duration of the contest so the links will stay up for everyone to visit and enjoy. If you don’t have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below (please include your byline if your posting handle is something like AwesomeWriter92 so I can identify you.) If you have difficulty posting in the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com and I’ll post it for you. Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title and byline at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS!Please Note: although you are welcome to submit more than one entry, please only post each entry ONCE! If you post it on your blog (preferred method) everyone will come visit you and you’ll make new friends! 🙂 If you don’t have a blog, post it in the comment section below. If you’re unable to post, please email me with your entry and byline in the body of the email. Please DO NOT post on your blog, and in the comments, and send me an email to post. It makes things confusing!P.S. Although I try to stay glued to my computer 24/7 I am sometimes forced to leave my desk. If you haven’t commented on my blog before, your comment won’t show up until I approve it. It may take a little while if I’m away from my desk. Likewise, if you send me an entry to post, I promise I will do it as soon as I can!

The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my devoted assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 top choices (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 6th (sooner if possible, although I’m warning you ahead of time I have a deadline for something else and if time gets dicey the finalists may get posted later.) The winner will be announced on Thursday November 9th, good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 🙂 If we get more than 25 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st – 3rd. If by some chance we get the kind of turnout we’ve had the past couple years, I may post as many as 10-12 finalists and I’ll probably end up giving everyone a prize 🙂 But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!

Judging criteria will be as follows:

1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.

2. Halloweeniness – the rules state a Halloween story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Halloween, not just some random spooky night.

3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂 Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.

4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.

5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.

– a 30 minute Skype conversation/critique of a picture book manuscript with the amazingly wonderful and talented author Penny Klostermann!!! (THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT – Random House 2015, A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE – Random House 2017)

– a webinar of your choice from among the selection offered by Julie Hedlund on her Teachable site (details of selection choice to be discussed with Julie)

– a Bundle Of Books from KidLit411 (must be selected by someone in the USA due to postage) which will include picture books and middle grade book, about 7 in total, details still to come. (Totally awesome for writers, readers, parents, teachers, or gift-givers!!!)

– a personalized signed copy of GRIMELDA AND THE SPOOKTACULAR PET SHOW by Diana MurrayPLUS a personalized signed copy of BIG SISTER, LITTLE MONSTER by Andria Rosenbaum

– a personalized signed copy of MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN by Nancy Churnin

– a copy of MEET WOOF & QUACK by Jamie Swenson and donated by the illustrator, Ryan Sias

Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 🙂

Now then. Time for my sample entry which I provide because I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Also, in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my truly horrific attempt to be filled with confidence that their’s is MUCH better! I have to confess, I was really down to the wire this year (my schedule is a lot nuts!), I have some looming deadlines for various things… which is why I may be a little behind getting started reading entries and why the judging may be slightly delayed… just so you know… but I digress!

So, here goes nothing…!

Sneak Attack! (95 words)

Minnie Monster feels forlorn.
How she craves some candy corn!
Why do children have no clue
That monsters covet candy too?
Min peers out the closet door.
Plastic pumpkin on Jen’s floor
Brimming full of trick-or-treat
Surely more than Jen can eat!
What’s a monster girl to do
But help herself to just a few?
Min darts left, then tiptoes right.
Silent, stealthy, out of sight.
Candy corn within her reach,
Min emits a fearful screech!
Hurtles underneath Jen’s bed.
Hides her hairy monster head
From the THING that scared her so –
Nothing but her own shadow!

[And the two lines I had to cut from the end because they took the word count to 105:
Moral of this monster tale?
Don’t filch from another’s pail! 🙂 ]

Now then, darlings! Is everyone feeling better about their way-better-than-that! stories? I certainly HOPE so! 🙂

I can’t wait to read all of your entries! I’m so looking forward to them! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!

Contest Entrants, remember to add your post-specific link to the google form below so we can all come read your awesome stories! (Post-specific means not your main blog url, but the actual url of the post that has your story in it – otherwise if you post again before the contest ends, your link will take readers… and judges!… to the wrong place!)

Eager Readers – just go along the list of links, click on them, and enjoy the stories!

Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! 🙂 🎃

And don’t miss the 135!!! fabulous entries that are posted in the comments below! (Unfortunately I can’t make links to them, but please scroll through and read and comment for the talented authors!!!)

Comment navigation

It was October 31st and Scott woke up ecstatic. He was all decked out in his book character wear (no costumes allowed at school). As soon as he walked in, Mrs. Shadow called him over. He was waiting for her to point out that his “monster” outfit was a costume, but he loves Where the Wild Things Are. Instead she opened her hand, and pointed to his candy corn colored fidget spinner, and confiscated his most prized possession. Before heading to his seat, his teacher nods and says I like that wild thing! Day made.

Fidget spinners have now been recorded in the annals of Susanna’s Halloweensie contest. They’re official cultural icons. And I know many a teacher who would like to place them in the dust bin of history. Love how Scott gets around the “no costume” rules. Works for me!

Love that they dress up as book characters and that Scott kind of outsmarted the teacher by being a wild thing 🙂 And fidget spinners drive me nuts – but I’m glad they’ve made it into Halloweensie history! Thanks, Risa!

Nice job, Mia! Fun story with great read-aloud rhythm. Love the repetition of “hold my hand” fun for kids to participate in when they learn to anticipate – and the great twist ending which sums up childhood completely! Thanks for a great entry!

A witch, a monster, and a sprite,
Boldly march into the night.
“Treat-or-treat” they brightly cheer,
On this night – just once a year.
They knock upon each neighbor’s door
And hope for sweets they will adore.
They wander many shadowed streets
Begging for their candy treats.
“Whatcha get?” they ask each other
‘Neath the gaze of their watchful mother.
The witch and sprite are happy misses,
With Snickers, Mounds, and Hershey’s Kisses.
Monster’s face grew so forlorn,
“All I got was candy corn!”

Clever and fun, Mary! Love the idea of a debate over which is better – corn on the cob or candy corn! I have to say, I’d vote for corn on the cob! 🙂 Love the ending solution – there’s always a peaceable way to solve debates! Thanks for joining in with this creative entry!

ew, creepy. This one would put me off hunting for treats in a field. But I love the names of your characters! And I’m glad they’re singing the snake to sleep. I’d hate to think of them as treats, LOL. Nice ending!

Corn snakes are harmless to humans and help control populations of wild rodent pests 🙂 The are stunning snakes with gorgeous colours and patterns (some are similar to candy corn :)) On a different note, I see something went wrong with my capitalisation. It should be: On All Hallows´ Eve.

Sorry, I just fell in love with Chiseltooth Rat and Spiny Pocketmouse and didn’t want them to meet their demise. I have no problem with snakes mixing with humans, LOL. I do understand the desire to control rodents in the “real” world, but I had just tumbled head first into this storybook world and its characters.

Jilanne, thanks for your comment and for falling in love with Chiseltooth and Spiny. I also didn´t want them to be eaten on Halloween, LOL. The lullaby worked 🙂 I am a bit of a Nature Nerd! I stumbled upon the word chisel tooth kangeroo rat and another story was born. To think that two years ago I couldn´t write a story in so few words. These contests are helping reduce my word count. Thanks, Susanna (and Vivian) I am amazed by the variety of the stories. I don´t envy the judges.

Love these real-life characters in the natural world, and the opportunity to include something educational, Corine! I hope the lullaby worked – I’d hate to see little Chiseltooth and Spiny end up as the corn snake’s dinner, even though snakes have to eat too! Thanks for another entertaining entry!

Love how the child is clingy until the end! Reminds me of the small child my husband scared once when he was wearing his dragon head at Halloween. I’ll never forget that high-pitched scream when she looked up at him. My husband felt so bad, he gave her piles of candy. Nice story!

Apologies, but I might have posted my story “Pointed Monster” twice with the Google form. I can’t seem to see it listed, but I have faith it’s somewhere in the mix. Thanks for hosting such a fun contest Susanna!

Oh, ain’t it the truth?! 🙂 I know for many it IS about the costumes and the spookiness, but for many it really is all about the candy! 🙂 Thanks for a fun rhyming entry, Sharon, and for joining in the Halloweensie high jinx!

Oh, my! There’s nothing like that moment of panic when your realize you’re not where you should be! The pounding for home! The relief at being back safe where you belong! Nice job, Sharon! You made me feel it!

There once lived a monster named Marvin who felt like an impostor.
Marvin was five.
He came from a family of sinister monsters.
Every October his family concocted plans to wreak havoc on Halloween!
And it was all quite normal for monsters
There was just one thing, Marvin didn’t want to be scary.
Marvin went to his room and secretly filled bags of candy corns for the neighbors.
He felt a shadow lurking.
He froze!
It was his momster.
Would she be disappointed?
She sat next to Marvin without uttering a word, winked, and began filling bags of candy corns!

“Lilu, it’s time to go.” “Lilu, we’ve got so much to do.”, her mom wails out. “Lilu, where are you?”
She looks under the bed, she looks behind the stairs, she looks in the laundry basket and even under the chairs.
“There you are!”
Sitting under the table amongst her bag of candy, her mom should have known.
Her love of sweet candy corn overshadows anything that she needs to do.
That’s why on this monstrous day you’ll always find a trail of wrappers leading right to Lilu.

Love the repeating “which witch”, Mary, and the fun surprise ending – because after all, on Halloween, it’s hard to tell the real witches from the dressed-up ones! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking part in the Halloweensie madness!

Nubbin’s toes were twitching. He was ready to go trick-or-treating to get his favorite candy—candy corn!! His parents only let him come out of the shadows on Halloween. Humans liked monsters on Halloween.

Finally—time to go!

Nubbin raced to the first house—no candy corn!

He raced to the second house—no candy corn!

No candy corn all night!

Nubbin howled in despair, “All I wanted was candy corn!” He began to cry.

A little girl, in a candy corn costume, went over to him and said, “Don’t cry. I’ll share.” She pulled candy corn from her costume and gave them to him.

Hey Susanna. Pam here, I am posting for Mona Pease. She is in Maine without electricity due to the storms. Told here I’d post for her. Please delete the one I posted on your 10/16 announcement. I’m such a dunce. Man! Without further mishaps … here’s Mona!

Monster Surprise

CROUCHING. CREEPING. CRAWLING.
Toward a pot of gold.
But when the floor creaked and eerie lights glowed,
I froze right there on the spot.
Shivering while I watched …

Shadows dancing on the wall
A creature flailing arms and legs
And then … it suddenly disappeared.
I edged closer, closer and found the treasured loot.

Purveyor of bellyaches and fine cavities, Mr. Can D. Corn, heard footsteps behind him. On Halloween, adoring fans followed him everywhere, so he wasn’t too surprised. Turning around, he saw no one! He took another step, and heard the same suspicious footstep. What monstrous thing followed him? He would set a trap.

Mr. Can D. Corn hung sticky paper up, and pretended to walk away. When he heard those footsteps—he quickly twisted, then tossed that someone onto the sticky paper. Brushing himself off, he heard a voice…

Lee O. Monster gave a wave
when he saw his shadow, Dave.
Much to the chagrin of his
Mom and Pop and sister Liz
Dave and Lee were thick as thieves,
stuck together like two peas.
On Halloween they knocked on doors,
collecting treats and sweets in scores.
As night ended, Lee felt torn.
Should he share his candy corn?
Yes, Lee thought. “You know that you’re
my best friend. That’s for sure.”
He held some out. “It’s only right.”
But Dave declined. He was polite.
‘Cause shadows aren’t the eating kind.
Lee went home, Dave close behind.

Monster costumes are a bore.
Trick or treating’s such a chore.
On Halloween I hold a torch
just past the shadow of my porch
and shout to every passerby
“Boycott Halloween! Here’s why:
“Candy corn, licorice
“dumdum pops, Swedish fish.
“They are tasty. This is true.
“But cavities will make you blue.
“So eat more greens and applesauce.
“Always brush your teeth and floss.
“My mom’s a dentist. I know best.”
I raise my chin, puff out my chest.
Dental visits are what slay.
So boycott Halloween I say.
Save yourself from tooth decay!

Kirsten was practically running to make it home before curfew. She dragged her pillowcase, bursting at the seams with Halloween loot. It made an eerie scraping sound as it picked up dead leaves and crinkly candy wrappers. Suddenly she heard another noise. Footsteps? They got closer, and closer. She froze when she saw a shadow looming over her.

As she bravely turned to face him, the monster opened his gigantic mouth. And he sneezed the biggest sneeze imaginable. She put her hands up to block the stream that came flying out of his nose. And caught a handful of….candy corn?

On Halloween I’ll be a super hero with a sidekick.
I have my cape and a smaller one for our dog, Dizzy.
But Dizzy doesn’t like clothes.
I chase her, but she hides.
I hear scratching under the bed.
Candy corn will trick her out.
Now I have another problem.
Mom says, “ No Dizzy, cause she runs from monster shadows.”
That stops me, but only for a second.
My baby brother will be my partner.
Me and him can be super-duper heroes.
But first Mom must born him.

Hahaha! Too funny, Susie! Haven’t we all been subjected to those smacky, lipsticky kisses from overbearing relatives! Poor Bobby! I hope he got some treats worth suffering through Aunt Mary Grace! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!